HYDRANGEAS – STARS of the SUMMER GARDEN John Frett
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HYDRANGEAS – STARS OF THE SUMMER GARDEN John Frett Hydrangea is an amazingly diverse genus full of summer flowering species. All have four petals and typically a mixture of showy sterile and less prominent fertile flowers. Most hydrangea flowers work well as cut or dried for decorative purposes. Flower color ranges from white for most species but blue or pink for others, varying based on soil pH. Hydrangeas are able to fill almost any garden niche. Many will flourish in full sun, all will tolerate dappled shade, and a few thrive in full shade. Plants are typically easy to grow, preferring moist, well–drained, loamy soil. They range from vines, to compact shrubs, to large shrubs but the current trend is to breed for more compact plants that are sized for the small, urban landscape. Below is a selection of the more unusual and popular species. Latin name Common name Mature Size Light Soil Pot Size, Plant Size Price Smooth Hydrangea is a small to medium native shrub, noted for its large globose white flower clusters in the summer that dry brown and persist into the winter. The dense twiggy habit responds well to regular removal of weak, old stems in order to maximize flowering. Flowers on current season’s growth. Hydrangea involucrata ‘Wim Rutten’ Hydrangea arborescens ‘Abetwo’ Photo: Melinda Zoehrer d 3 g, 2 $35 יי Incrediball™ Smooth Hydrangea 4–5 Huge, globose white flower clusters are up to 12 inches in diameter, much more upright than the traditional ‘Annabelle’. June to August. N Hydrangea arborescens ‘Hayes Starburst’ d 1 g, 1 $25 יי Smooth Hydrangea 4–5 Not quite globe form, yet not quite flat topped, the white 3–4 inch flower clusters sport numerous star-shaped sterile flowers that are dramatically double petaled. June–July. N Rough-leaved Hydrangea is anything but rough. The leaves are large and densely hairy, like velvet. The summer flowers are flat, lacey clusters with a ring of white, sterile flowers that surround blue fertile flowers in the center. The nomenclature is terribly confused but that does not make the plants any less beautiful. Fall color is yellow. Hydrangea aspera ssp. macrophylla d 1 g, 1 $25 יי Rough–Leaved Hydrangea 4–7 Seldom seen in garden centers, this is a unique hydrangea whose leaves are covered in velvety soft hair. The summer flower clusters have sterile white flowers that surround a center of pale purple fertile flowers. Bracted Hydrangea is a close relative of the previous species but much more compact. The velvety leaves are more lustrous on the upper surface. Flowers are lacecap form with sterile flowers that surround typically lavender fertile flowers in the center. Hydrangea involucrata ‘Wim Rutten’ ’d 3 g, 1–2 $35 Hydrangea arborescens ‘Abetwo יי Blue Bunny™ Bracted Hydrangea 2–4 This dwarf plant is ideal for small gardens or containers. The summer lacecap inflores- Photo: Melinda Zoehrer cences have pale blue to white sterile flowers and deeper blue fertile flowers. Unlike other Latin name Common name Mature Size Light Soil Pot Size, Plant Size Price hydrangeas, the plant continues to produce new flowers into the fall, so there is always fresh color on the plant. Hydrangea macrophylla ‘Blaumeise’ d 1 g, 1–2 $25 יי Bigleaf Hydrangea has been grown in its native Japan for centuries before being imported Bigleaf Hydrangea 6–7 to Europe and the United States. It is a traditional plant from Victorian gardens that maintains A stunning lacecap developed in Switzerland, ‘Blaumeise’ has large flat flowers composed its popularity to this day. Small to medium sized plants produce pink flowers in neutral to of very wide deep purple blue sterile florets surrounding tiny indigo blue fertile flowers. basic soils and blue flowers in acidic soils. Plants have either mophead globose flower clus- PATRON EVENING ONLY ters or lacecap clusters that are flat with large petaled, sterile flowers surrounding apetalous, Hydrangea macrophylla ‘Hororb’ fertile flowers in the center. d 3 g, 1–2 $35 יי Abracadabra™ Orb Bigleaf Hydrangea 3–4 Hydrangea macrophylla ‘Ayesha’ A member of the Abracadabra™ hydrangea series. The sterile flowers of this mophead in- -d 1 g, 1 $25 florescence emerge green and peach before maturing to hot pink (blue in acid). The ma יי Bigleaf Hydrangea 3–5 The unusual flower is bicolored; pale pink or mauve on the edge to white in the center of hogany–colored stems offer a dramatic contrast to the flower color. the cup shaped petals of this mophead inflorescence. Hydrangea macrophylla ‘Lynn’ d 3 g, 1–2 $35 יי Let’s Dance® Starlight Hydrangea 2–3 A member of the Let’s Dance® series, with very compact, reblooming, lacecap hydrangea flowers on both new and old wood providing an extended season of vivid blue to pink color depending on soil pH. Hydrangea macrophylla ‘Madame Emile Mouillere’ d 1 g, 1–2 $25 י Bigleaf Hydrangea 6 Considered by the late great gardener and writer Christoper Lloyd of Great Dixter to be the best pure white mophead. Tightly packed serrated flowers open wide and push against each other to produce a lacy work of art. Flowers age to blush pink or green and are great to cut and dry. PATRON EVENING ONLY Hydrangea macrophylla ‘SMHMP1’ d 1 g, 1–2 $25 יי Paraplu™ Bigleaf Hydrangea 2–3 The intense color of this dwarf mophead varies from bubblegum pink to intense hot pink, Hydrangea arborescens ‘Hayes Starburst’ Hydrangea macrophylla ‘Ayesha’ in pink possibly with some purple in acidic soils. in Liz Sharp’s garden Photo: Melinda Zoehrer Photo: Melinda Zoehrer 2014 SPRING PLANT SALE CATALOG WEBSITE: www.canr.udel.edu/udbg 7 Hydrangea macrophylla ‘Tovelit’ in Alice Reilly’s garden Photo: Melinda Zoehrer Maroon stems of Hydrangea macrophylla ‘Honorb’ Photo: Melinda Zoehrer Latin name Common name Mature Size Light Soil Pot Size, Plant Size Price Latin name Common name Mature Size Light Soil Pot Size, Plant Size Price Hydrangea macrophylla ‘Tokyo Delight’ Mountain Hydrangea is so similar to bigleaf hydrangea, that they are sometimes treated as a d 3 g, 1–2 $35 variety or subspecies of bigleaf hydrangea. Mountain hydrangea differs in that it is a more יי Bigleaf Hydrangea 3–5 An old lacecap favorite with outer white sterile flowers that slowly mature to burgundy compact plant with smaller leaves and flowers. Plants are also more cold hardy than bigleaf around bright blue to mauve fertile flowers. hydrangea. Flower clusters are either mophead or lacecap and range from blue to pink base Hydrangea macrophylla ‘Tovelit’ on soil pH and aluminum availability. ’d 1 g, 1–2 $25 Hydrangea serrata ‘Blue Deckle יי Bigleaf Hydrangea 3–4 d 1 g, <1 $25 יי The rose to mauve colored flowers and the uniquely serrated petals of the flowers gives Mountain Hydrangea 2–3 this mophead abundant charm. The petals on the sterile flowers are variously serrated, and at times give a distinctly frilly appearance—an elegant plant. Flower color is pale pink to lavender in neutral soils, blue Panicle Hydrangea is another old time standard that has graced gardens for decades. They in acid soil. Leaves turn reddish in the fall. have typically been the largest plants of the hydrangeas but current trends in breeding have re- Hydrangea serrata ‘Grayswood’ duced the size by more than half. What used to be a small tree form is now a midsized shrub. d 1 g, <1 $25 יי Mountain Hydrangea 4–5 The enormous conical–shaped flowers appear to be mostly showy sterile florets but upon The lacecap inflorescences have pale blue fertile to white sterile flowers changing to crim- closer inspection, the numerous fertile flowers are held inside. Generally, flowers are white son red in fall. Leaves can be splashed pale green and darker green. and may fade to pink before drying to brown. Several new selections turn pink quicker and retain more vivid pink longer, even on dried flowers. Panicle hydrangeas flower on current Hydrangea serrata ‘MAKD’ d 3 g, 1–2 $35 יי season’s growth and therefore should be pruned in late winter or early spring. Tiny Tuff Stuff™ Mountain Hydrangea 1–2 One of the shortest lacecap hydrangeas, with double sterile flowers. Selected for improved Hydrangea paniculata ‘Ilvomindy’ bud and stem hardiness, it also consistently reblooms. Flower color ranges to soft shades d 1 g, 1–2 $25 יי Mega Mindy™ Panicle Hydrangea 5–6 of blue, pink, or white depending on soil pH, then age to pink. The compact plants produce large upright panicles on sturdy stems. Flowers begin white then fade to striking pinkish red in late summer. Hydrangea paniculata ‘SMHPFL’ d 3 g, 2–3 $35 יי Fire Light™ Panicle Hydrangea 5–7 This selection is much smaller than the species and has pure white flowers that transition to pomegranate–pink by late summer, retaining color into fall. Oakleaf Hydrangea is appropriately named for the large, coarse textured foliage that remotely resembles that of an oak. Large flower clusters are globose to conical in form with numerous showy sterile flowers mixed in with small fertile flowers. The white flowers fade to pink in fall and dry brown, often remaining on the plants into winter. In fall, the leaves turn rich shades of mahogany-red. Hydrangea quercifolia ‘Amethyst’ d 3 g, 2–3 $35 יי Oakleaf Hydrangea 5–6 The unique white flower clusters mature a striking rich wine red unmatched by any other oakleaf hydrangea. N Hydrangea quercifolia ‘Brido’ g, 2–3 $35 3 יי Snowflake™ Oakleaf Hydrangea 5–6 Huge pendulous flowers open white and fade to purple pink. Sterile flowers double petaled. June bloom. N Hydrangea quercifolia ‘Little Honey’ d 1 g, 1 $25 יי Oakleaf Hydrangea 3–4 Foliage emerges gold, fades to chartreuse, then burgundy red in fall.